Hundreds of residents turned out to speak to members of the of the Home Office, NHS and other representatives over plans to reopen the shuttered centre.
Phase one is due to be completed this year, costing £101 million where around 130 bed spaces will be created in the refurbished accommodation, reduced from 198 when it was in service before 2015, with further expansion for up to 600 beds in total from phase two of the redevelopment.
Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage was in attendance for the meeting and seeing the phase two plans for the first time.
A public information event at Thorngate Halls in Gosport, Hampshire for residents to see the plans(Image: pictureexclusive.com)
She labelled the event a “good turnout”, but added: “Let’s just say the Home Office have a lot of work to do before these plans are in a state that any local residents, myself included, will find acceptable.
“They suggest the height of some of these new buildings will be three stories, I think that’s too high.
“I will continue to do what I can to keep residents informed and make sure that’s residents’ voices are heard.”
Chair of Reform UK Gosport, Paul Carter said: “The meeting left many residents feeling incredibly frustrated.
“People turned up expecting a proper presentation and Q&A session about the biggest government-funded project in Gosport, a £101 million redevelopment, but what they found instead were a few banners and departmental representatives dotted around the room.
Artists impressions of the redevelopment at Haslar Immigration Removal Centre(Image: Submitted)
“There was no structure, no consultation, and no real opportunity for residents to have their voices heard.”
“To make matters worse, members of the Liberal Democrat council leadership walked out before the majority of the public had even arrived, which only fuelled further resentment and disappointment in the room.
“I genuinely feel sorry for the local residents who have been raising concerns about this site for nearly two years. Issues like car parking, rubbish, and anti-social behaviour from contractors have all been highlighted time and time again, yet they remain unresolved.
“Even after this meeting, there’s still no clear communication plan. People deserve honest answers and proper engagement on what is happening in their community, not to be kept in the dark about decisions that affect their everyday lives.
Artists impressions of the redevelopment at Haslar Immigration Removal Centre(Image: Submitted)
“This level of disregard for local opinion is simply unacceptable, and it’s clear that without real consultation, these problems will continue.”
The Home Office says the site will have “robust physical security measures and appropriate security procedures in place”.
It will hold a mixture of time-served foreign national offenders and immigration offenders while the government prepares to remove them from the UK.